A PRIMER ON ASME SECTION VIII, DIV.

1 MATERIALS

Construction, as used in ASME Code, is an all-inclusive term comprising of materials, design, fabrication,
examination, inspection, testing, certification, and pressure relief. ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code
provides rules for construction of boilers, pressure vessels and nuclear components. The primary code for
pressure vessel construction is ASME BPV Section VIII (ASME Section VIII) which is divided into three divisions.
Division 1 largely contains appendices, some mandatory and some nonmandatory, that detail supplementary
design criteria, nondestructive examination techniques, and inspection acceptance standards for pressure
vessels. It also contains rules that apply to the use of the single ASME certification mark with the U, UM, and UV
designators. Division 1 is the focus of this article.
Division 2 contains requirements for the materials, design, and nondestructive examination techniques for
pressure vessels. Compared to Division 1, Division 2’s standards are far more rigorous, but allow for higher stress
intensity values. The rules put forth in Division 2 can also apply to human occupancy pressure vessels, primarily
in the diving industry. Like Division 1, Division 2 contains guidelines that apply to the use of the single ASME
certification mark as it applies to the U2 and UV designators.
Division 3 provides rules that to pressure vessels that operate at pressures, either internal or external, exceeding
10,000 psi. Division 3 does not establish maximum pressure limits for either of the preceding Section VIII divisions,
nor does it establish a minimum pressure limit for itself. Like the previous two divisions, it also provides rules that
dictate the use of the single ASME certification mark with the U3 and UV3 designator.

ASME SECTION VIII, DIVISION 1

ASME Section VIII, Division 1 (Division 1) contains mandatory requirements, specific prohibitions, and
nonmandatory guidance for pressure vessel materials, design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing,
certification, and pressure relief. It is divided into three Subsections, Mandatory Appendices and Nonmandatory
Appendices.
 Subsection A consists of Part UG, covering general requirements applicable to all pressure vessels.
 Subsection B covers specific requirements that are applicable to various methods used in fabrication of
pressure vessels. It consists of welding, forging and brazing methods.
 Subsection C covers specific requirements applicable to several classes of materials used in pressure
vessel construction. It consists of carbon and low alloy steels, nonferrous metals, high alloy steels, cast
iron, clad and lined material, cast ductile iron, ferritic steels with properties enhanced by heat treatment,
layered construction, low temperature materials, and impregnated graphite.
The maximum allowable stress values for these classes of materials (except for impregnated graphite)
are provided in ASME Section II, Part D.
 Mandatory Appendices address specific subjects not covered elsewhere in Division 1, and their
requirements are mandatory when the subject covered is included in the construction.
 Nonmandatory Appendices provide information and suggested good practices.
Pressure vessels may be designed and constructed using any combination of the methods of fabrication and the
classes of materials covered by Division 1, provided the rules applying to each method and material are complied
with. The materials that are subject to stress due to pressure shall conform to one of the specifications given in

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 3

ASME Section II, Part D, Subpart 1, Tables 1A, 1B and 3. Furthermore, such materials shall be limited to those
that are permitted in the applicable part of Subsection C of Division 1.
Material for nonpressure parts, such as skirts, supports, baffles, lugs, clips, and extended heat transfer surfaces,
need not conform to the specifications for the material to which they are attached or to a material specification
permitted in Division 1, but if attached to the vessel by welding shall be of weldable quality.
We will concentrate on the materials permitted in Subsection C of Division 1, and on ASME Section II, Part D.

USE OF MATERIALS NOT PERMITTED BY DIVISION 1

Using materials other than those allowed by Division 1 is not permitted. Data for new materials may be submitted
to the ASME BPV Committee on Materials for approval to use in the construction of pressure vessels. The request
for Code approval will normally be for materials for which there is a recognized national or international
specification. ASME BPV Committee on Materials only approves materials covered by specifications that have
been issued by standards-developing organizations such as, but not limited to, American Petroleum Institute (API),
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Welding Society (AWS), Canadian Standards
Association (CSA), European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS),
Standards Association of Australia (SAA), and China Standards Committee (CSC). Requests for approval of
material specifications of other than national or international organizations, such as those of material producers/
suppliers or equipment manufacturers, will not be considered for approval.
If the materials are made to a recognized national or international specification other than that of ASTM or AWS,
the inquirer shall also give notice to the standards-developing organization that a request has been made to ASME
for approval of the specification under the ASME Code and should request that the issuing organization grant
ASME permission to at least reproduce copies of the specification for Code Committee internal use and, if possible,
reprint the specification. For other materials, a request shall be made to ASTM, AWS, or a recognized national or
international standardization body to include the material in a specification that can be presented to the BPV
Committee on Materials.
The ASME BPV Committee on Materials considers requests to approve new materials only from boiler, pressure
vessel, transport tank, nuclear facility component manufacturers, architect–engineers, or end users. Such requests
should be for materials for which there is a reasonable expectation of use in a boiler, pressure vessel, transport
tank, or nuclear facility component constructed to the rules of one of the Sections of this Code. When a grade
does exist in a defined wrought product form, a material producer/supplier may request the inclusion of additional
wrought product forms. When a grade does exist in a defined cast product form, a material producer/supplier may
request the inclusion of additional cast product forms.
The organization requesting that an ASME BPV Committee approve a “new material for use in their Code book
should be aware that only the BPV Committee on Materials provides the appropriate design values for the
Construction Codes, including Division 1. The design values are calculated in accordance with the appropriate
mandatory Code rules. If the inquirer considers the material to be essentially identical to one that has been
approved by the BPV Committee on Materials, the inquirer shall so state in its request, and the BPV Committee
on Materials shall evaluate that judgment. If the material is not essentially identical to one that has been approved
by the BPV Committee on Materials, the inquirer shall provide all of the data cited in this Mandatory Appendix.
Based on those data, the BPV Committee on Materials will provide the appropriate design values.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTING MATERIALS

It is the responsibility of the user or his designated agent to ensure that materials used for the construction of the
vessels will be suitable for the intended service with respect to retention of satisfactory mechanical properties, and
resistance to corrosion, erosion, oxidation, and other deterioration during their intended service life.

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 4

Corrosion
The user or his designated agent shall specify corrosion allowances other than those required by the rules of this
Division. Where corrosion allowances are not provided, this fact shall be indicated on the Data Report. Vessels or
parts of vessels subject to thinning by corrosion, erosion, or mechanical abrasion shall have provision made for
the desired life of the vessel by a suitable increase in the thickness of the material over that determined by the
design formulas, or by using some other suitable method of protection. Material added for these purposes need
not be of the same thickness for all parts of the vessel if different rates of attack are expected for the various parts.
No additional thickness need be provided when previous experience in like service has shown that corrosion does
not occur or is of only a superficial nature.
Telltale holes may be used to provide some positive indication when the thickness has been reduced to a
dangerous degree. Telltale holes shall not be used in vessels that are to contain lethal substances, except for vent
holes in layered construction. When telltale holes are provided, they shall have a diameter of 1/16 in. to 3/16 in.
and have a depth not less than 80% of the thickness required for a seamless shell of like dimensions. These holes
shall be provided in the opposite surface to that where deterioration is expected.
Vessels subject to corrosion shall be supplied with a suitable drain opening at the lowest point practicable in the
vessel; or a pipe may be used extending inward from any other location to within 1/4 in. of the lowest point.

FORGINGS
Forged material can be used in pressure vessel construction, provided the material has been worked sufficiently
to remove the coarse ingot structure. Forged rod or bar may only be used within the following limitations:
 Except for flanges of all types, hollow cylindrically shaped parts [up to and including NPS 4 (DN 100)] may
be machined from rod or bar, provided that the axial length of the part is approximately parallel to the
metal flow lines of the stock.
 Other parts, such as heads or caps [up to and including NPS 4 (DN 100)], not including flanges, may be
machined from rod or bar.
 Elbows, return bends, tees, and header tees shall not be machined directly from rod or bar.
Forgings certified to SA-105, SA-181, SA-182, SA-350, SA-403, and SA-420 may be used as tubesheets and
hollow cylindrical forgings for pressure vessel.

CASTINGS
Cast material may be used in the construction of pressure vessels and vessel parts. Their allowable stress values
shall be multiplied by the following casting quality factor (for all materials except cast iron):
 A factor not to exceed 80% shall be applied to static castings that are examined in accordance with the
minimum requirements of the material specification. In addition to the minimum requirements of the
material specification, all surfaces of centrifugal castings shall be machined after heat treatment to a finish
not coarser than 250 μin. (6.3 μm) arithmetical average deviation, and a factor not to exceed 85% shall
be applied.
 For nonferrous and ductile cast iron materials, a factor not to exceed 90% shall be applied if:
o Each casting is subjected to a thorough examination of all surfaces, particularly such as are exposed
by machining or drilling, without revealing any defects;
o At least three pilot castings representing the first lot of five castings made from a new or altered design
are sectioned or radiographed at all critical sections without revealing any defects;

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 5

 o One additional casting taken at random from every subsequent lot of five is sectioned or radiographed
at all critical sections without revealing any defects; and
o All castings other than those that have been radiographed are examined at all critical sections by the
magnetic particle or liquid penetrant methods.
 For nonferrous and ductile cast iron materials, a factor not to exceed 90% may be used for a single casting
that has been radiographed at all critical sections and found free of defects.
 For nonferrous and ductile cast iron materials, a factor not to exceed 90% may be used for a casting that
has been machined to the extent that all critical sections are exposed for examination for the full wall
thickness; as in tubesheets drilled with holes spaced no farther apart than the wall thickness of the casting.
 For carbon, low alloy, or high alloy steels, higher quality factors may be applied if in addition to the
minimum requirements, additional examinations are made as follows.
o For centrifugal castings, a factor not to exceed 90% may be applied if the castings are examined by
the magnetic particle or liquid penetrant methods.
o For static and centrifugal castings a factor not to exceed 100% may be applied if the castings are
examined in accordance with all of the requirements of Mandatory Appendix 7.
 The following additional requirements apply when castings are to be used in vessels to contain lethal
substances:
o Castings of cast iron and cast ductile iron are prohibited.
o Each casting of nonferrous material permitted by this Division shall be radiographed at all critical
sections without revealing any defects. The quality factor for nonferrous castings for lethal service
shall not exceed 90%.
o Each casting of steel material permitted by this Division shall be examined per Mandatory Appendix
7 for severe service applications. The quality factor for lethal service shall not exceed 100%.

BOLTS AND STUDS

Bolts and studs are used for the attachment of removable parts.
When studs are used, they shall be threaded full length or shall be machined down to the root diameter of the
thread in the unthreaded portion, provided that the threaded portions are at least 1½ diameters in length. Studs
greater than eight diameters in length may have an unthreaded portion that has the nominal diameter of the thread,
provided the following requirements are met:
 The threaded portions shall be at least 1½ diameters in length;
 The stud shall be machined down to the root diameter of the thread for a minimum distance of 0.5
diameters adjacent to the threaded portion;
 A suitable transition shall be provided between the root diameter and the unthreaded portion; and
 Particular consideration shall be given to any dynamic loadings.

MINIMUM THICKNESS OF PRESSURE RETAINING COMPONENTS

The minimum thickness permitted for shells and heads, after forming and regardless of product form and material,
shall be 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) exclusive of any corrosion allowance. Exceptions are:

1. The minimum thickness does not apply to heat transfer plates of plate‐type heat exchangers.

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 6

 2. This minimum thickness does not apply to the inner pipe of double pipe heat exchangers nor to pipes and
tubes that are enclosed and protected from mechanical damage by a shell, casing, or ducting, where such
pipes or tubes are NPS 6 (DN 150) and less. This exemption applies whether or not the outer pipe, shell,
or protective element is constructed to Code rules. When the outer protective element is not provided by
the Manufacturer as part of the vessel, the Manufacturer shall note this on the Manufacturer’s Data Report,
and the owner or his designated agent shall be responsible to assure that the required enclosures are
installed prior to operation. Where pipes and tubes are fully enclosed, consideration shall be given to
avoiding buildup of pressure within the protective chamber due to a tube/pipe leak. All other pressure parts
of these heat exchangers that are constructed to Code rules must meet the 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) minimum
thickness requirements.
3. The minimum thickness of shells and heads of unfired steam boilers shall be ¼ in. (6 mm) exclusive of
any corrosion allowance.
4. The minimum thickness of shells and heads used in compressed air service, steam service, and water
service, made from carbon and low alloy steel materials shall be 3/32 in. (2.5 mm) exclusive of any
corrosion allowance.
5. This minimum thickness does not apply to the tubes in air cooled and cooling tower heat exchangers if all
the following provisions are met:
a. The tubes shall not be used for lethal service applications;
b. The tubes shall be protected by fins or other mechanical means;
c. The tube outside diameter shall be a minimum of 3/8 in. (10 mm) and a maximum of 1-1/2 in. (38
mm);
d. The minimum thickness used shall not be less than that calculated by the code formulas for shell
and in no case less than 0.022 in. (0.5 mm).

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE STRESS VALUES

The maximum allowable stress value is the maximum unit stress permitted in a given material used in a vessel
constructed under these rules. The maximum allowable tensile stress values permitted for different materials are
given in ASME Section II, Part D, Subpart 1. A listing of these materials is given in the following tables, which are
included in Subsection C of Division 1 – See Table 1.
The maximum allowable longitudinal compressive stress to be used in the design of cylindrical shells or tubes,
either seamless or butt welded, subjected to loadings that produce longitudinal compression in the shell or tube
shall be the smaller of the following values:
1. The maximum allowable tensile stress value permitted for the material.
2. The value of the factor “B” determined by the procedure in paragraph UG-23(b)(2) of Division 1.
The wall thickness of a vessel computed by these rules shall be determined such that, for any combination of
loadings that induce primary stress and are expected to occur simultaneously during normal operation of the
vessel, the induced maximum general primary membrane stress does not exceed the maximum allowable stress
value in tension. For the combination of earthquake loading, or wind loading with other loadings, the wall thickness
of a vessel shall be determined such that the general primary membrane stress shall not exceed 1.2 times the
maximum allowable stress. This rule is applicable to stresses caused by internal pressure, external pressure, and
axial compressive load on a cylinder. Earthquake loading and wind loading need not be considered to act
simultaneously.

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 7

These loads shall not induce a combined maximum primary membrane stress plus primary bending stress across
the thickness that exceeds 1-1/2 times the maximum allowable stress value in tension. It is recognized that high
localized discontinuity stresses may exist in vessels designed and fabricated in accordance with the rules of
Division 1. Insofar as practical, design rules for details have been written to limit such stresses to a safe level
consistent with experience.
The maximum allowable stress values that are to be used in the thickness calculations are to be taken from the
tables at the temperature that is expected to be maintained in the metal under the conditions of loading being
considered.
Table 1: Listing of Tables of Permitted Materials for Division 1 Pressure Vessels

ASME SECTION II, PART D

The properties of the materials, including allowable stresses, used in construction of Division 1 pressure vessels
are provided in ASME Section II, Part D (ASME II-D). ASME II-D consists of three Subparts, Mandatory
Appendices, and Nonmandatory Appendices. Subpart 1 contains the stress tables, Subpart 2 contains the physical
properties tables, and Subpart 3 contains the charts and tables for determining shell thickness of components
under external pressure.
Subpart 1
The guidelines to clarify which information in the stress tables provided in Subpart 1 is mandatory and which is
not are given here. The information and restrictions provided in the Notes found throughout the various stress
tables are mandatory. The lines of information in Tables 1A, 1B, and 3 (we will look only at Division 1 materials)
frequently have essential information referenced in the Notes column. These Notes are organized as follows:
a. EXX: Defining onset of values based on successful experience in service
b. GXX: General requirements
c. HXX: Heat treatment requirements
d. SXX: Size requirements

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 8

 e. TXX: Defining onset of time‐dependent behavior

f. WXX: welding requirements

Let us look at the information provided in Table 1A for the most commonly used carbon steel material – SA 516
Grade 70. This information is reproduced (though not in exact form) here:

Line Number 33 P.No. 1

Nominal Composition Carbon Steel Group No. 2
Product Form Plate Min. Tensile Strength 70,000 psi
Spec. No. SA-516 Min. Yield Strength 38,000 psi
Type/ Grade 70 Max. Temperature 1000oF
Alloy Desig./UNS No. K02700 Ext. Pressure Chart CS-2
Class/Condition/Temper --- Notes G10, S1, T2
Size/Thickness ---

Temperature Allowable Stress Temperature Allowable Stress Temperature Allowable Stress

100oF 20,000 psi 500oF 20,000 psi 850oF 9,300 psi
150oF 20,000 psi 600oF 19,400 psi 900oF 6,700 psi
200oF 20,000 psi 650oF 18,800 psi 950oF 4,000 psi
250oF 20,000 psi 700oF 18,100 psi 1000oF 2,500 psi
300oF 20,000 psi 750oF 14,800 psi
400oF 20,000 psi 800oF 12,000 psi

The specifications and grades or types, coupled with the assigned Notes for each line, provide the complete
description of material in the context of the allowable stresses or design stress intensities.
In Tables 1A and 2A, the information in the Nominal Composition column is nonmandatory and is for information
only. However, these nominal compositions are the primary sorting used in these three tables. The information in
the Alloy Designation/UNS Number column is nonmandatory for specifications for which a grade or type is
provided. This is primarily true for the non-stainless steel alloys in these tables. For specifications for which no
type or grade is listed, the UNS number is mandatory. Particularly for the stainless steels, for which no type or
grade is listed, the UNS number is the grade.
The only difference between Table 1A and Table 1B with regard to the mandatory/nonmandatory nature of the
information, is that in Table 1B, the UNS number information is used as the basis of the sorting scheme for
materials and is almost always mandatory.
Where provided, the information in the columns for Product Form, Specification Number, Type/Grade,
Class/Condition/Temper, Size/Thickness, and External Pressure Chart Number is mandatory. The information in
the P‐Number and Group Number columns is also mandatory; however, the primary source for this information
is Table QW/QB‐422 in ASME Section IX (ASME IX). When there is a conflict between the P‐number and
Group number information in these stress tables and that in ASME IX, the numbers in ASME IX shall govern.

Pressure Vessel Newsletter January 2019 ♦ 9